YOUR STORY COACHES:

Melissa Manlove and Ariel Richardson are editors at Chronicle Books in San Francisco.

In addition to being editors at Chronicle Books, Ariel and Melissa are booksellers. In this course, you'll gain insight on what editors and booksellers look for and how to prepare for submission.

PUBLISHED BOOKS

MODULES:

MODULE 1: BEGINNING LIKE A STORYTELLER

JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 1, 2019

Your career in children’s books will be a hero’s journey, and, we hope, a long one. This first week will introduce your guides (Ariel Richardson and Melissa Manlove), map out the course, and pack your bags with the core attitudes and understanding that you’ll need to start down your successful path to authorhood.

MODULE 2: READING LIKE A BOOKSELLER

FEBRUARY 2 - 8, 2019

In this week, we’ll tour a bookstore at a granular level, master industry terminology, and learn to navigate the consumers and interests that wield the most influence in the children’s book industry. Be ready to do some serious reading during this week and the following gap week.

IMPLEMENTATION WEEK #1

FEBRUARY 9 - 16, 2019

Critique Group Meeting via Zoom app

MODULE 3: COLLABORATING LIKE A PUBLISHER

FEBRUARY 16 - 22, 2019

A key part of succeeding as an author (and keeping your sanity) is understanding how publishers work and what they can and cannot do for you. The publisher staff are your teammates in the work of bringing a book to market, and knowing what they do and how you can treat them as teammates will aid your career in long-lasting ways.

MODULE 4: THINKING LIKE AN EDITOR

FEBRUARY 23 - MARCH 1, 2019

This week will be a deep-dive into the craft of writing and bookmaking and will include voice, narrative structure, participatory storytelling, novelty publishing, and book anatomy. Be ready to do some serious writing during this week and the following gap week.

IMPLEMENTATION WEEK #2

MARCH 2 - 8, 2019

Critique Group Meeting via Zoom app

MODULE 5: POSITIONING LIKE AN AGENT

MARCH 9 - 15, 2019

In this module, you’ll learn how to position and sell your book. We’ll examine how to build a hook into your title and practice handselling your story. We’ll also look at how to get your work discovered.

MODULE 6: SUBMIT LIKE A PRO

MARCH 16 - 22, 2019

In the final module, you’ll learn how to write a query and cover letter. You’ll review your work with a craft checklist, and you will learn how to research agents and find publishers. You’ll leave this course with a wealth of knowledge on craft and with a game plan for submission.

IMPLEMENTATION WEEK #3

MARCH 23 - 29, 2019

Critique Group Meeting via Zoom app

LIVE CRITIQUES AT STORY WORKSHOP

WHEN: Every WEDNESDAY from 6:00 - 7:00 PM PST starting with Module 1.

WHERE:

Meeting via Zoom app. We will send a meeting link for you to join the workshop.

HOW IT WORKS:

Students enrolled in the course can submit their stories prior to the workshop, and the editors will choose two of those to critique during the workshop.

WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE SAYING

"As an elementary school art teacher with a 10-year tenure, armed with a master's in education, I thought I was capable of writing and illustrating a picture book in a fairly decent way. Little did I know that I didn't know about the ABC's of crafting a good picture book. This course is the best thing that happened to me in helping me both understand and practice the art of compelling storytelling. "
Dorothy Wawa

Art Teacher / Storyteller

“I have learned rule-after-rule about picture book writing …but the creative side of me got buried in that immense load of left-brain wonderful knowledge. I have had some great past instructors, but I could not get to the fun and creative side of my imagination to bring my stories forth and on paper…until now. All that has changed … thanks to this course with Arree Chung.

This course is so well put together. It especially keeps up with the style of the printed picture books of today increasing your potential for publication.

The creative side of writing and, if you wish, illustrating your picture book ideas can be done here with the help of Arree and Storyteller Academy.

I highly recommend Storyteller Academy. And, I can’t say enough about the personable and encouraging Arree Chung. His own recent published pictures books speak volumes of his knowledge and creativity.”
Stella Lopez

Summer 2017 / Storyteller Academy Student

"I think this course ( Arree's) has been exactly what I needed to move forward. I can hardly wait to begin another story after I polish this one some more. I like your videos Arree! Seeing the work you put into developing your books and seeing examples are what works for me."
Maggie Griessmeier

Storyteller/Illustrator

"I love the course so far, and I love that it is lifetime membership because 12 weeks isn't enough for me to polish my unwritten stories and ideas."
Mikki Hwang

Summer 2017 / Storyteller Academy Student

Featured Success Story

Registration Closes Thursday 1/31 at Midnight PST

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SELF-STUDY

Learn At Your Own Pace

$250/One Payment

Or 3 Payments of $90

Lifetime Access to Course

6 Module Course

Handouts and Guides

Course Forum

FB Community

Limited Time Bonuses!

6 Live Workshops and Replays

Ask Me Anything with Editors

Ask Me Anything with Literary Agent

Mentored Critique Group with Melissa or Ariel (limited to 5 per group)